Jim Harbaugh declines to criticize struggling Kyle Williams

LONDON -- Kyle Williams struggled on multiple returns Sunday, but 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh refused to criticize the fourth-year veteran after a 42-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Harbaugh didn't defend Williams as much as he mocked the idea of publicly debating a return-specialist position.

"We don't need to talk about a controversy of who the returner is," Harbaugh said. "There's no returner controversy or anything like that. Really, the fair one is quarterback. If there's ever a quarterback controversy, I could understand talking about that."

After Williams' first-half gaffes, Anthony Dixon handled the 49ers' only return of the second half, that resulting in a 47-yard dash on a third-quarter kickoff. The Jaguars didn't punt in the second half.

"Been wanting to see Anthony Dixon return and felt that would be an opportunity," Harbaugh said.

Williams' night started with him recovering his own fumble on the opening kickoff. After muffing a punt return out of bounds, Williams later fielded a kickoff dangerously near the right pylon and promptly returned it out of bounds at the 3. That last mistake came nine seconds before halftime, and the 49ers avoided any damage by kneeling on the next snap to end the half.

Williams made one fair catch on a punt Sunday to raise his league-high total to 20 this season. He's averaged 5.1 yards on 12 punt returns, 19.1 yards on seven kickoff returns. LaMichael James, a potential replacement as a return specialist, was inactive for the third straight game.

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Dixon's 47-yard return not only boosted the 49ers' spirits but also his potential trade value. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported before kickoff that the 49ers were shopping Dixon's services in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline.

The 49ers (6-2) moved with a half-game of the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks, who take a 6-1 record into Monday night's game at St. Louis (3-4).

By beating the Cleveland Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs improved to 8-0 and thus triggered an escalator in which they now must give the 49ers a 2014 second-round pick as part of April's trade of Alex Smith. The 49ers can deal that pick for its second-round value before Tuesday's trade deadline, if so desired.

Wide receiver Jon Baldwin did not suit up for the first time in five games. He's battled an illness the past two weeks that is not related to a strain of the MRSA virus, according to a source.

Harbaugh said the 49ers will offer "opportunity practices" Tuesday and Wednesday for players to voluntarily attend. Left tackle Joe Staley won't be there, noting: "No, I'm going to take advantage of the bye week. It's a long season and a physical game." At least a four-day break is mandatory in bye weeks.

In a good sign for his health, Patrick Willis didn't know which hand he used to force a fourth-quarter fumble that fellow linebacker Dan Skuta recovered and returned for a touchdown. Willis broke his right hand in training camp and began lifting weights with it only this past week, he said.

The 49ers' 28-3 halftime lead was their largest since Harbaugh took over in 2011. It allowed them to rest their injury-weary starters on the defensive line, as Ray McDonald, Justin Smith and Glenn Dorsey gave way to Tony Jerod-Eddie, Demarcus Dobbs and Quinton Dial. Colt McCoy replaced Kaepernick for the final series and completed his only pass for 13 yards to fullback Bruce Miller.

Jaguars first-year coach Gus Bradley, formerly the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, was asked if the 49ers are a Super Bowl contender. "I don't know. There are a lot of good teams out there," Bradley replied. "They've all been good. Who is it for us to say? We have not won a game yet."

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith missed his fifth straight game. In the wake of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's stating that Smith's voluntary substance-abuse rehab could lessen any potential discipline for alcohol- and gun-related offenses, Harbaugh stated: "The thing I think is prudent is the one-day-at-a-time approach. If we start talking about what's going to happen (down the road), that is not the best approach."